This exciting engagement will initially see Victoria University provide sport science and performance support for the Melbourne Victory Academy teams. The Melbourne Victory Academy support will provide a range of unique learning experiences for current and prospective Victoria University students.

Further areas of collaboration include translational research projects, joint staff appointments, professional development, and community activities.

Melbourne Victory Academy players in action.

Student opportunities & placements

Victory University students have the exciting opportunity to work with the biggest football club in Australia. They will learn from the best in an elite sporting environment. This will help our students to finish their courses career-ready, with invaluable industry contacts.

Our students have taken placements and found employment in various roles with Melbourne Victory Football Club such as:

strength and conditioning coach

video analyst

performance analysis coordinator

U15 team manager and assistant sports scientist.

"At the end of my bachelor degree I knew I wanted to further my studies in sport science, being able to do this at VU was great.

VU’s connections and partnerships have allowed me to undertake placements in sports that were suited to what I wanted to do; specifically, the Football Federation of Victoria and Melbourne Victory. This has led me to create contacts with professionals in the industry that I can learn from now and into the future."

Melbourne Victory’s football players are also be eligible for our elite student athletes program, which supports elite athletes to study while maintaining a high-level sporting career.

"We are thrilled to be working with Australia's leading Sports University for the next five years, and we're looking forward to building a strong and sustainable partnership with VU.

"We will truly benefit from the access to VU's coaching, sport science and high performance programs, and we're pleased to be able to offer VU's students an opportunity to experience working in an elite sporting organisation."

Industry expertise

Being one of the most industry-connected institutions in Australia, VU provides opportunities for students to gain industry expertise through our many partnerships.

VU’s Dr Fabio Serpiello, Head of Academy Performance and Sport Science, leads the sport science and performance program with Melbourne Victory Academy Director, Paulo Cardoso. Students will benefit directly from Fabio’s industry knowledge in the Bachelor of Sport Science and Master of Sport Science (Football Performance).

Adrian Juniper loves that he has the opportunity to work with industry leaders and professionals at the top of their game.

"I chose VU because of its reputation as the sports university.

I've learned that practical experience in the field is just as valuable as class work. Industry placements give students the chance to get on-the-job experience while studying. Working closely with people whose job you aspire to do is an enjoyable way to learn."